The Royal Challengers Bangalore players were rushing off the field just as it started to pour during the team's training session on the eve of the final late on Saturday evening. As they were making their way towards the changing rooms, a large chunk of fans ran in the stand adjacent to the pavilion to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. Within seconds, the entire stand almost filled up. It's very unusual to witness people in such large number turning up for a routine training session, but that's the RCB fans for you: passionate, loyal and supportive.
Bengaluru has traditionally always been a cricket-loving city, one that understands and appreciates quality, irrespective of the team. But the IPL has highlighted another facet to their love for the game. Probably no other team in the competition can boast of the kind of fan base RCB has here in the city. Good form, bad form, rain, sunshine, whatever the situation, fans have stood by their franchise.
The fans deserved an IPL final in their city – unfortunately at the expense of Mumbai – and what a beautiful coincidence that they got to watch their beloved RCB play in it. "The support has always been wonderful in Bangalore," RCB captain Virat Kohli said. "Even when we have not done well, the crowds have come in and cheered for RCB till the last game. It's great to see the joy among the people. We can see when we come to the training session or when we are at the hotel, people are very happy, very excited."
Crowd support can play a crucial role in cricket, and in Bengaluru, it does even more. The chants of "RCB, RCB" never stop echoing across the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, even when the team is down in the dumps. RCB know the value of that.
"As a cricketer, we understand that the energy the crowds bring to the stadium plays a massive role in the team turning things around and getting through difficult situations, as you saw in the last game (first qualifier against Gujarat Lions), when we were in a very bad situation. It takes a special performance like AB had, but obviously the support of the people can make the other team nervous. So, the crowds also help in getting that momentum back for the home team," Kohli said.
A local boy like Stuart Binny knows exactly what the Bengaluru crowd can bring to the table. Having shifted teams from Rajasthan Royals to RCB this season, Binny could gauge the difference in the support from the first day itself.
"When I was brought by RCB in the auction, I was jumping up and down my chair just with the thought of playing in Bangalore. But it actually struck me when I walked out on the field in my first game. The crowd really filled me with pride," Binny said.
It also fills the coffers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Having increased the ground's capacity to about 42,000, fans have never given any reason for the association to worry about empty seats, weekends or weekdays.
"We have hosted nine games this season, and except for two matches, we had capacity crowds throughout the season despite us increasing our capacity. And, even in those two games, it was about 80-90 percent full," KSCA vice-president Sudhakar Rao said.
Of course, it helps that the team has the Kohlis, the Gayles and the ABs playing for them for a few seasons now, and have given the crowd plenty of memories to take back. "It's always been a back and forth relationship with the crowd, where we have given them joy, and they have helped us pull through difficult situations," Kohli said.
Safe to say, this relationship won't end anytime soon.
